South Los Angeles residents affected by a major fireworks explosion may soon get some help.
L.A. City Councilman Curren D. Price, Jr. will introduce a new motion Wednesday that seeks $5 million dollars to help residents recover from the June explosion that was set off by an LAPD bomb squad.
The blast injured 17 people, destroyed dozens of vehicles, and forced many residents from their homes. Many are still living in temporary shelters.
Curren said some of the money would come from the LAPD's budget. The motion would also establish a neighborhood recovery center, with services to support residents' needs.
Preliminary findings on the detonation of seized illegal fireworks in South Los Angeles in June show LAPD technicians miscalculated the weight of the homemade fireworks being detonated.
A specially designed containment unit was brought into the neighborhood where the fireworks were seized on June 30, according to Chief Michel Moore. He said the detonation was done in the neighborhood because it was not clear that the homemade fireworks were stable enough to be transported elsewhere.
An analysis by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives revealed that 42 pounds of net explosives were detonated. LAPD technicians had estimated 16 pounds of explosives, according to Moore.
This week, Arturo Ceja III pleaded guilty for illegally transporting the fireworks, according to City News Service. A sentencing date was not scheduled immediately.
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Since the blast happened, Price has shared several resources for those who suffered property damage from the explosion, including a $1 million emergency fund.
To learn more about the fund, which will help pay for longer-term housing, home repairs and financial assistance, click here.
The city council meeting where the motion will be announced is set to begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Watch live here.
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